lover
lover
Jiang Mingzhuo walked towards me, but I was so frightened that I stood still.
I'm afraid of him.
My favorite kitten used to be kept at school. My classmates and I took turns caring for it, and someone would play with it every day.
The only time my classmates suddenly "disappeared" was on the day Jiang Mingzhuo came to pick me up.
The kitten ran out, got hit by a car, bled, and died right in front of me. @Unlimited great articles, all at Literary City
I understand the cruelty and emotional emptiness beneath Jiang Mingzhuo's handsome and perfect appearance, like an elegant prince from a fairy tale. He doesn't treat these poor little things as "life."
Even if I save it, it might just be a passing whim. I'm still afraid he'll kill it someday.
My hands and feet were cold, and I couldn't run away. I watched helplessly as Jiang Mingzhuo crossed the road.
His plaid coat was no longer smooth, because he had rescued the kitten from under the car; the cuffs and arms were now full of wrinkles, and the dirty, still-unmelted snow on the ground had stained the coat.
"Don't be afraid." He was still patiently and gently coaxing the cat in his arms.
My lips were pressed tightly together, my gaze uncontrollably drawn to the kitten. The kitten trusted Jiang Mingzhuo and snuggled affectionately in his arms.
People around were even whispering. They couldn't wait to take out their phones to film him. Jiang Mingzhuo, a mysterious and unapproachable scion of heaven who only ever sat in luxury cars, was almost hit by a car because of a stray cat. This was sure to dominate the trending short video list.
"Xiao Fu!" I heard Lu Qixi's voice.
She was across the street, carrying the platinum bag I had given her, looking anxious. A cold wind slightly lifted the hem of her coat, and I stared wide-eyed, breathing heavily, in the glaring light as Jiang Mingzhuo walked to within a few steps of me.
I'm not dreaming, it's all real. Jiang Mingzhuo didn't have a car accident that night. He was still elegant and charming, attracting the attention of those around him with every move. The fog that had dissipated gradually enveloped me again.
Anxiety and tension washed over me in waves, and I was so engrossed that I didn't even notice when Lu Qixi ran over and hugged me tightly.
She touched my cheek and looked me up and down again. "I just came out and heard them say that someone here almost got hit by a car while trying to save a cat. I thought it was you! Luckily... you're okay, Xiao Fu. Don't run around, you scared me to death."
My senses were unusually dull and clumsy. When my cold, dark eyes met Jiang Mingzhuo's in the air, and I felt the warmth from Lu Qixi's hand, I was certain again that this wasn't a dream. I felt as if I had suddenly woken up.
"Sorry, did I scare you?" I looked at Jiang Mingzhuo, who followed my gaze and smiled, the curve of his lips deepening. "When I saw this kitten suddenly rush out, I didn't think too much about it, I just didn't want anything to happen to it."
Jiang Mingzhuo usually has a blank expression, even a somewhat aloof air, much like Jiang Zhao. His class-abiding demeanor is particularly obvious, making him unapproachable. But when he smiles, it takes on a deceptive quality, making people think of him as a good-natured and elegant young nobleman.
Lu Qixi's face flushed red. "You really are quite kind."
After listening, Jiang Mingzhuo simply returned a more polite smile, "I like kittens. I also have a Siamese at home. That little guy doesn't have a companion yet. I feel quite destined to be with it."
After saying that, Jiang Mingzhuo played with the kitten intimately and skillfully, as if he were teasing a child.
Lu Qixi whispered a surprised sound in my ear, "I know him. He's the heir to YK Communications. He was at YK's autumn electronics product launch. I never expected to run into a young master from such a conglomerate here. He's actually quite nice."
I saw a smile playing on Jiang Mingzhuo's lips, so I quickly tugged at Lu Qixi, making sure Jiang Mingzhuo heard her.
Lu Qixi only then realized what was happening. She was carefree and outspoken, completely oblivious to Jiang Mingzhuo's gaze. Jiang Mingzhuo had thick eyelashes and always dark eyes, giving him an imposing presence. Only Lu Qixi thought he had a "good temper." @Unlimited good stories, all at Literary City
"Am I scary?" Jiang Mingzhuo asked abruptly, looking at me.
My heart pounded wildly with nervousness. I realized my behavior was too strange. I should have looked at him with an expression of adoration, just like Lu Qixi did. I stared at him blankly. Lu Qixi put his arm around my shoulder and explained, "She's not good with words and is usually quite timid. The sound of the car braking was so obvious just now. She almost hit you. She must have scared Xiao Fu quite a bit."
"..." I quickly nodded in agreement.
Jiang Mingzhuo seemed to have no memory of me at all. Even though we had met at Xie Yong's birthday banquet, he treated me like a stranger.
I couldn't help but look at the kitten in his arms. It was soft and meowed at me. It looked so much like the cat I used to have. I couldn't help but reach out my hand. Noticing that I wanted to pet it, Jiang Mingzhuo leaned down slightly and brought the kitten to me.
"Meow, meow." The kitten meowed softly as I stroked its head. Yu Xu and I had always wanted to adopt a pet, but our apartment was too small, and we didn't have time to take care of it. At this moment, I didn't dare let the kitten follow Jiang Mingzhuo; I was afraid he would hurt it.
I mustered my courage and took the cat from Jiang Mingzhuo's arms to my side.
Lu Qixi immediately understood what I meant. "Xiao Fu, do you want to adopt the kitten?" She lowered her voice, pulled me aside, and whispered to me in a voice only I could hear, "Yu Xu is still in the hospital, and the expenses are not small. This kitten looks sick. Treating a kitten is very expensive. Jiang Mingzhuo seems to like it very much. Why don't we give it back to him?"
I lowered my long eyelashes, hugged the kitten tightly, and kissed it with reluctance. I hated myself for being powerless no matter what, unable to even protect the life of a kitten.
Jiang Mingzhuo nodded slightly, a slight smile playing on his lips, melting away the arrogance and aloofness in his eyes. "I will take good care of it. If you like it, we can add each other as friends, and you can come to see it anytime."
My throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and I immediately felt nervous.
Not far away, a black Rolls-Royce slowly approached us. Jiang Mingzhuo glanced at it, but patiently waited for my reply.
Seeing that I wasn't moving, Lu Qixi nudged me with her elbow, "Xiao Fu, phone."
I was slow to react as I watched Lu Qixi pick up my phone and have Jiang Mingzhuo add me as a friend. I returned the kitten to him, and an assistant dressed in black stepped out of the Rolls-Royce carrying a pet carrier. He came to Jiang Mingzhuo's side, where the carrier was covered with soft cloth and contained a plush toy for the kitten. The assistant placed the kitten inside and then bowed slightly to Jiang Mingzhuo.
"Young master, we've already made an appointment with the vet, and we can go anytime."
Jiang Mingzhuo had already stopped smiling, and his sense of class became even more obvious. He slowly instructed his assistant to take the cat back to the car, and then looked at me and Lu Qixi, "Well, I'm sorry, I'll be going now."
He turned and left. His already tall and slender figure, coupled with his outstandingly handsome appearance and impeccable noble aura, made him stand out even more in the crowd.
Even after the Rolls-Royce drove away, Lu Qixi remained absent-minded, and not only him, but those around him also wore expressions of envy. As I watched, I kept recalling the details of what had happened.
So, who was the person seriously injured in the car accident? Could it be that because Yu Xu didn't attend the gathering, Jiang Mingzhuo also escaped unscathed? I focused all my attention, racking my brains, a strange unease and a fear that terrified me arose in my heart.
"Look what this is?" Lu Qixi waved at me.
I paused, then looked at her. She held two theater tickets in her hand, for Lin Zhi'en's ballet performance. Lu Qixi's voice rose slightly as she said, "I passed the interview, and the lawyer who was supposed to be with me was unavailable, so he gave me these two tickets. We can watch the ballet and then go to the nearby square to celebrate the New Year together!"
"..." I smiled. Even though I wanted to tell Lu Qixi that I had to go to the hospital to accompany Yu Xu tonight, she had finally gotten her internship and I didn't want to spoil her mood.
I smiled and nodded at her.
The theaters in the Empire State usually have an unwritten tradition that you should wear proper formal attire to watch ballet or opera.
Lu Qixi and I happened to be employees of a luxury store, so we contacted the store manager and borrowed two sets of clothes.
Lu Qixi wore a black sleeveless dress in the style of Chanel, and her hair was tied into a high ponytail with a champagne-colored headband, just like a beautiful and innocent heroine in a Tiffany movie. She picked out a pink satin dress for me, which was not extravagant, but very exquisite, and she wore a matching pink pearl hair clip.
As we got out of the taxi, Lu Qixi and I were stunned by the warm, rich, and magnificent atmosphere.
The Metropolitan Theatre, where this ballet performance took place, has a magnificent and beautiful exterior with a huge fountain at the entrance. Although it was a bit desolate in winter, it did not diminish its grandeur at all.
Tickets for ballet productions starring Lim Ji-eun are expensive and never discounted.
Young men and women in evening gowns got out of luxury cars and walked into the theater.
As I stepped onto the stairs, I saw a car parked by the roadside. It was a black Cullinan.
A feeling of suffocation welled up in my throat, and I felt inexplicably panicked until Lu Qixi patted my shoulder.
The lavish foyer, with its hanging crystal chandeliers and gold and red velvet seating, saw people gradually taking their seats. Lu Qixi and I also sat down in the middle. @Unlimited good articles, all at Literary City
I subconsciously looked up at the private room above me.
Was it my imagination? I felt like there was a gaze following me intently. My heart raced, my breathing became labored, and I clenched my fists nervously. But then the lights in the seating area dimmed, and the exquisite set was slowly revealed before my eyes as the curtains drew back…
I was captivated, and with the actors' appearances, the inescapable gaze gradually made me forget everything else. During intermission, Lu Qixi chatted with a young man next to her, while I felt a bit hot, so I went to the restroom to touch up my makeup.
The break was almost over, and the audience members who had been chatting outside took their seats. The gentle light from the corridor fell on the artwork hanging on the walls. I lifted my skirt and slowly walked forward when I suddenly felt some resistance behind me. I turned around in surprise.
The gleaming, spotless leather shoes arrogantly stepped on my skirt.
I bit my lip, and the temperature around me seemed to have turned frigid. I had to look up. The young man in front of me was wearing a black suit, his short hair was neatly combed up, revealing his handsome and perfect features. His eyes were dark and deep, and his gaze was condescending. His whole body exuded an air of nobility and superiority.
"..." Jiang Zhao. I stared at him for a moment, then immediately lowered my head. His gaze was extremely oppressive, and my heart raced. I cautiously looked towards the door, where the theater staff had already closed the doors.
The entire corridor was empty except for him and me.
I tried to pull my skirt out and was about to leave when Jiang Zhao stretched out his long arm and blocked my way, easily pushing me back. I couldn't escape; I could only face him.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?" His deep eyes were incredibly captivating, and he mischievously raised his eyebrows.
What...what should I say? My mind was a mess. I saw his sharp, brows furrow in displeasure, and I suddenly remembered that he had saved me at Xie Yong's birthday party.
I quickly took out my phone and typed, "Mr. Jiang, thank you for saving me last time."
“Jiang, Zhao,” he said. “Call me by my name.”
I didn't want anything to do with this man. I didn't dare look him in the eye; my gaze lingered on his broad shoulders. I told him on my phone, "The show has started; I have to go back."
He curled his thin lips into a mocking smile and released me.
I was surprised that he was so easy to talk to. I was secretly delighted and took a few steps forward, lifting my skirt. Jiang Zhao's dark eyes held a hidden turmoil as he spoke from behind me: "How much did Ye Fenglin pay you?"
His voice was cold and aloof, like a bass violin, exuding nobility and subtlety.
I turned my head hesitantly. Jiang Zhao's face was arrogant, and his gaze was unreadable. I felt offended, as if he had seen through all my secrets. Now that he knew about Ye Fenglin, would he continue to investigate Yu Xu? ... I was not sure. My eyelashes trembled nervously, which made me even more panicked.
I backed towards the door, and Jiang Zhao suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist. Having spent so much time with him, I almost instantly understood what he was going to do and squeezed my legs together. But soon, his low chuckle made me realize I had made a foolish mistake; it was a gesture of feigned reluctance.
He hugged me tightly from behind, his cool lips pressed down, his hot breath brushing against my neck, and he gave me a succinct command.
"Leave Ye Fenglin and come with me."
I felt uncomfortable and gripped his arm tightly with both hands, trying to push him away. Jiang Zhao pinched my chin and pointed at me, making me turn to look at him. I bit my lip, and his tone turned cold and harsh. "From now on, no cell phones, no sign language. You must use either Shangmian or Xiamian and answer my questions with your voice."
"..." My eyes were red as I looked at him. I couldn't make a sound, but my lips moved as I pleaded with him, "Please be gentle."
Jiang Zhao's voice was low and cold: "Wrong."
He said, slowly and deliberately, "I said, speak up, Shangmian or Xiamian, you choose one."
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